AIBU to think I can get fit doing 15 mins a day?

[worriedaboutfitness]

I absolutely hate exercise. You name it I've tried it- walking, swimming, classes, personal trainer, yoga, everything.

However I am really unfit, and now I'm 30 I'm aware that I don't want to end up like my parents- almost immobile at the age of 65 from a life time of not moving their bodies.

I've joined a gym in earnest, but I really cannot make myself do long workouts- because I'm so unfit it's really a horrible experience for me, and I don't feel good afterwards. However I have been for the last 3 days and done about 15 mins of cardio each time. I know that most normal people go to the gym every couple of days for a proper session but I just don't know if I can bring myself to that.

AIBU to think I can improve my fitness levels in this way? Or is it not long enough to make a difference?

It’s a good start, but if you want to see real results you’ll need to work a bit harder. Try gradually increasing by 5 minutes each week. Also do weights - the more muscle you have the faster you’ll burn fat

15 mins high intensity most days will be a great start and will have impact

150 mins moderate or 90 mins intense a week I have seen recommended

Thanks for replying, I appreciate it.

I am completely clueless when it comes to weights- what should I be doing? Free weights, or the machines they have at the gym? Can anyone use them?

Ask a gym instructor to give you an induction on using the machines

If you have not been doing anything at all then 15 minutes will help. The important thing to highlight is that you need to find something you enjoy, otherwise you will just get board. I get board running so I never run. Also it is important to understand your goals, are you looking to improve cardio or tone muscle etc, make your goals small and achivable. Focus on being healthy and eating healthy, many gym sessions are very quickly undone by poor diets.

@worriedaboutfitness

Thanks for replying, I appreciate it.

I am completely clueless when it comes to weights- what should I be doing? Free weights, or the machines they have at the gym? Can anyone use them?

I prefer free weights. I would recommend getting a trainer just for a session, to show you a few exercises you can do properly. You don’t want to be doing them without knowing proper form etc, in case you end up with an injury

I think you are making a brilliant start to getting fit OP. Going along to the gym at all is an achievement. As your fitness improves you could think about increasing the time you spend there but I wouldn't even worry about that yet.

A couple of years ago, I realised that I simply couldn't face spending long sessions at the gym and the thought of doing so made me not want to go at all. I found that if I did half an hour of cardio I was happy with that as it wasn't too daunting.

DH was pretty vocal that I was wrong and I should be spending an hour and a half there like him. I go three times a week and he gets there once a month if he's lucky

15 min is 15 min. I rowed every day until I horked up my back. I had a rule that I had to for at least 15 min. After awhile I realized that I was enjoying rowing so would do longer sessions most days. But on the days I didn’t want to row at all, I forced myself to for just 15 min. I’m more proud of those 15 min days than most of the longer ones.

I’m no expert but I’d say that’s a good start and will help you build up stamina and motivation. No point doing long workouts then burning out early in the process.
Hope you don’t feel horrible after the gym for too long. Maybe see if they do personal training sessions - could give you a bit of confidence.

I guess I just want to feel fitter- I am very aware that I never really move my body. Aside from the health element it makes me feel very detached from it, I don’t really feel like me if that makes sense? Like I’m wearing a costume of someone else’s body or something. I’d just like to connect to it a bit more, and feel healthier and with a bit more energy. And not die of wheezing when walking up the stairs!

Yes to doing weights and I think you can get fit, or at least much fitter in 15, but you have to be consistent.

I’d probably do the 15 mins as a home workout to stick to it rather than going to the gym.

I always say, whatever you're doing, as long as you're doing something, it's better than doing nothing at all which was your starting point. I run a few times a week for 20 minutes each time, which is all I have time to do so it's better than nothing.

15 minutes of static cardio on 1 machine won't be as effective as something that is high intensity and keeps your body guessing. Have you thought about trying hiit training workouts online? I literally do 20 minutes a day with 1 day rest a week. I can't pretend to love it but its the best workout for me as the exercises change throughout . My usual ones involve 45 seconds of 1 exercise, a 15 second rest, then onto a new exercise x 20. You can select a workout to focus on 1 area such as legs or abs or you can choose 1 that provides an all over workout. The main benefit is your body should continue to burn calories at a higher rate long after you have finished. I like Chloe Ting, Madfit, Growing Anannas and Heather Robertson

Thanks @Cheeseandlobster- I have tried HIIT workouts at home but honestly I can’t be trusted to make myself do them. The second I get sweaty and out of breath I just want to stop, and if I’m at home on my living room floor it’s too easy to just sit on my sofa instead.

I realise that sounds pathetic but it’s the truth! I have a complicated history with exercise where growing up the only possible motivation to do it was to lose weight, and after a life of eating disorders it’s very difficult for me to separate those two things and not feel horrible when I workout.

I was exactly in your shoes when I started.

Cardio is hard and boring I would definitely switch it up a bit. How about trying 5/10 minutes cardio as a warm up and then start adding in other exercises- if you can afford a trainer then that’s the best option but if not the weight machines are brilliant (almost impossible to get wrong) there’s normally instructions on the sides- do 3 lots of 12 of each one start off on a really low weight and gradually increase it.

Work out what you like and dislike and before you know it you’ll have a programme. Once you are confident move onto the free weights.

Doing what for 15 minutes?
Walking? Running? Weights? Hiit?

If 15 mins of cardio is difficult and putting you off, try something else. If you are doing 15 mins, no break, hard and are unfit of course you are put off!

Look at some of the youtube videos Cheese has recommended above, I especially love Growing Anannas. You can start off with 15 minute videos doing as much as you can, these all include breaks and are different everyday so not a boring 15 minute stair climb, or jog or walk. You will see quick progress if you stick to it. Good luck!

@Noisyprat I’ve been doing 15 mins on a machine- a cross trainer, or a bike.

15 minutes on a bike isn't going to do much, sorry - it's really low intensity exercise that doesn't use many muscle groups. To get fitter you need to stress your body, and if you aren't uncomfortable you haven't stressed your body. You also need to gradually add on more stress - more time, higher intensity exercise, higher weights etc else you plateau quite quickly.

If you want to break the connection between exercise and weight loss, it's a good idea to pick a form of exercise that is generally done for reasons other than just weight loss - i.e. not the gym,but something which has other benefits, like brisk walking in the fresh air, or something that's (at least supposed to be!) fun like Zumba.

In terms of duration, 15 mins is a good start, but if you stick at it you will soon be able to manage longer without feeling too sweaty and exhausted.

I'm reading this with interest as I need to start exercising as I can't believe how unfit I am. I can't do hiit as it affects my acid reflux so I'm not sure what else to do - would a longer but less intense session help? I won't be joining a gym, I'll be doing something at home.

The good news is if you can commit yourself to 15 mins a day and form a habit you will no doubt be doing more in no time. I did an hours workout today by saying I'd try and do 20 mins. This is a common theme for me. Once the endorphins hit I want to carry on whilst I'm sweaty already.

And doing 15 mins of something you weren't doing before will definitely make a difference anyway!

Would 15 mins of hula hooping count, do we think? 🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻

@worriedaboutfitness

Thanks *@Cheeseandlobster*- I have tried HIIT workouts at home but honestly I can’t be trusted to make myself do them. The second I get sweaty and out of breath I just want to stop, and if I’m at home on my living room floor it’s too easy to just sit on my sofa instead.

I realise that sounds pathetic but it’s the truth! I have a complicated history with exercise where growing up the only possible motivation to do it was to lose weight, and after a life of eating disorders it’s very difficult for me to separate those two things and not feel horrible when I workout.

Ah I often feel the same. Sometimes it's a real chore and I have to force myself to do it. I try to think about all the benefits- feeling better in my clothes, less chance of some nasty health conditions, improved mental health, skin that glows more etc. Perhaps you need an exercise buddy to motivate you. If you don't know anyone who could do this then I will. I am due a rest day tomorrow but I will be starting again Wed. We don't have to do it at the same time or even the same workout but we could encourage each other

Oh god I would love to think so @Welcomebacksummer!! I bought a hula hoop thinking that would solve all my problems about four months ago but I am simply unable to make the hoop stay up Felt a bit pathetic about it lol

Is it worth trying a class? It takes time, but part of keeping me going is knowing that x is at that class and I can have a chat with y in another. Or mix it up so you do a different one each week.

I started, many years ago, piddling about in the gym. Then I did Zumba which was fun, but didn't actually do anything. Eventually I tried pretty much most of the classes before cv hit. Then I became a runner through c25k. Can't praise c25k enough. I never ever thought I could run.